A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE
Democratic County Chair Adrienne Martin
On behalf of the Hood County Democratic Party
We are deeply troubled by the recent deaths of Alex Jeffrey Pretti and Renée Good, two United States citizens who were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These incidents, two of several violent encounters involving federal agents in recent weeks, raise serious alarm about the use of force, transparency, and accountability within the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies.
First, we unequivocally believe that no American, regardless of political views, should be prevented from lawfully exercising their First Amendment right to protest through force or intimidation.Likewise, the lawful exercise of Second Amendment rights must never be used as a pretext for the government to employ lethal force.
In the last year, we have seen repeated violations of constitutional rights by immigration officials, from deporting legal immigrants to causing children to be hospitalized after being pepper sprayed, and many more. The misuse and overreach of these agencies has resulted in a catastrophic failure to protect American citizens.
Roving groups of unidentified, masked agents acting as judge, jury, and executioner against their fellow citizens is not what these agencies were designed to do. Crowd and traffic control are the responsibility of local governments, not ICE or Border Patrol. Citizens committing minor traffic violations, filming officers, jaywalking, yelling, cursing, or legally carrying a firearm at a protest should not face death, and they should not be called domestic terrorists by their own government.
In the well documented shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, available evidence indicates that no officers were in immediate danger, though full independent investigations must be conducted in each case. It was revealed today that Renée Good would have survived the first two gunshot wounds, but her life was ultimately ended by a third shot fired from the side of the vehicle that struck her in the head. Still images from video evidence in the death of Alex Pretti appear to show him on all fours, face down, when he was shot in the back of the head, an execution.
If this kind of state violence is allowed to occur with impunity, we no longer live in the America our ancestors fought and died for. No amount of political rhetoric or victim blaming can change that.
All Americans should demand independent and transparent investigations into the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti. This expectation is fundamental to our Constitution, whether at the local, state, or federal level. All levels of government must be accountable to the people.
We call on all elected leaders, including Hood County officials, state representatives, and community leaders in Texas and across the country, to look beyond party affiliation and to speak out in defense of Americans. Call for protection of our constitutional rights and to oppose any attempt by government officials to suppress civil liberties through violence, intimidation, or misinformation.
We call on Democratic voters to hold Democrats who vote for additional ICE funding, accountable. It is unacceptable to continue supporting a rogue organization that is harming our communities.
Leaders from both parties must transcend party and do what is best for the American people. This includes, at minimum, demanding immediate reform of these agencies, the removal of untrained agents, accountability for all unwarranted use of force, and an immediate end to the racial targeting, harassment, and arrest of American citizens by U.S. immigration authorities.
The Democratic Party of Hood County stands united with the people of Minnesota. We admire the strength and courage displayed by the people of Minneapolis, who have shown the country and the world the real power of community.
May we all live to see justice served.
Adrienne Quinn Martin
Hood County Democratic Chair
Adrienne Martin